Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Google's foldable stays thick and creased as rivals slim down

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is an iterative update that keeps the same fundamental design while competitors have moved to thinner, lighter foldables with nearly invisible creases. The phone is 0.7mm thinner and 19g lighter than its predecessor, but still feels bulky compared to Samsung's latest. The obvious crease remains a visible drawback, especially when swiping.

The $100 price increase to $1,899 with no storage bump is a notable cost for what are mostly minor hardware changes. The Tensor G6 chip, brighter displays, and improved camera are welcome, but they don't address the physical design gap. For engineers, this shows that software and chip upgrades alone may not justify a premium price when the form factor lags.

The phone's IP68 rating and triple camera are strong points, and the square inner screen works well with Android 17's Bubbles for multitasking. However, the design choices limit its appeal as the market shifts. The review suggests that Google's foldable may be a smart purchase now but could quickly feel outdated.

The key takeaway is that foldable hardware is evolving rapidly, and iterative updates without addressing the crease and thickness may not keep pace. For engineers, this highlights the importance of physical design innovation over incremental spec bumps. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold's fate will depend on whether Google catches up in future generations.